Wells’ Dairy President Joins PF’s National Board of Directors

St. Paul, Minn. – February 17, 2005 – Pheasants Forever (PF) announces the election of Dan Wells to the seventeen-member national board of directors.  Wells is the president of strategic planning and administration for Wells’ Dairy, Inc. of LeMars, Iowa.  He was also a founding member of the Plymouth County, Iowa PF chapter and has been the chapter’s president twice.

Wells has been involved with the family-owned Wells’ Dairy, makers of Blue Bunny® ice cream, his entire life.  In addition to his responsibilities with Wells’ Dairy, Dan was instrumental in the establishment of the Wells’ Family Foundation in 1996.  He is also a current board member of the Milk Industry Foundation Board.  In the past, he has served as a board member for the International Association of Ice Cream Vendors, the International Dairy Queen “Queen Jesters,” the National Dairy Export Advisory Committee, and the LeMars, Iowa Chamber.

“Dan embodies everything we look for in a national board member,” explains Howard Vincent, PF’s president and CEO.  “Dan has been a devoted conservationist his entire life, he’s been active in PF at the grassroots level, he’s been instrumental in helping our organization grow at the corporate level, and he brings innovate ideas to help Pheasants Forever lead the way into the future.  Plus, you’ve gotta add a friend with an unlimited supply of ice cream at his fingertips.” 

Wells’ Dairy, through Dan, joined PF as a sponsor of National Pheasant Fest in Omaha, Nebraska this past January.  Pheasant Fest drew over 24,000 people during the weekend event and Wells’ Dairy raised over $5,000 for PF habitat projects through ice cream promotions during the event.  Wells’ Dairy has also been a long-time supporter of PF’s national and local habitat initiatives.

“I have always been very involved in my local Plymouth County Pheasants Forever chapter,” explains Wells.  “I believe in Pheasants Forever and its financial structure to get things done in local communities.  I am excited to bring my past board-level experience to PF.”  PF is the only national wildlife conservation organization that leaves 100 percent of the fundraising dollars, along with the decision on how best to utilize those funds, in the local communities where they are raised. 

“Dan brings national board level leadership and business vision to an already-talented group of directors,” adds Paul Hanson, PF’s chairman of the board.  “Pheasants Forever is definitely in a growth stage and Dan is a great addition to help take advantage of coming opportunities for the future of conservation and our hunting heritage.”

PF was formed in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1982.  PF is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education.  The seventeen members on the national board of directors hail from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.